Circuit controller



W. ZABEL.

CIRCUiT CONTROLLER. APPLICATION FILED DEC.19, 1918.

1,413,820. Paten ed Apr. 25, 1922.

W N 74 T SYLVANIA.

:TENT wer WELLIAM ZABEL, or SWISSVALE, rENNsYLvAnIA, ASSIGNOR TO" THE UNION SWITCH" ;& SIGNAL COMPANY, or SWISSVALE, PEn'iTSsr- V ANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN- igiisseo.

- c nema oonritornnn.

Specification of Letters Pate nt. Pate n ted'Apn 25 1922 original lieationfiled .Tanuary 25, 1917, Serial 1\To. 144,330, mv aed andthis application filed Decem- 1 ber 19, 1918. Serial 190,267,467. i L

To all whom itmay concern. I

Be it known that T, VIILLIA ZABEL-,-a citizen of the United States, residing at Swissvale, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit Controllers, of which the following is a specification. h

My invention relates to circuit: control lers, and particularly to circuit controllers which are adapted tor,v use in connection with railway switches to govern indication apparatus, that is, apparatus which indicates at a distant point the position occupied by the switch rails and by the, switch locking means.

The present application is a. divisionoi my copending application filed J anuary 25, 1.917, Serial'No. 14 L330, for Railway ,traffic controlling apparatus, which application hasmatured into Patent No. 1293290, grant ed February 4, 1919. I

I will describe one form of circuit controller embodying my invention, and wil l then point out the novel features thereof in claims. i l

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic .view showing one form of railway switch, together with operating and locking mechanism therefor, to which a.ci r (-uit controller embodying my invention may he applied. Fig. 2 is a View showing one j form of circuit controllerembodyingmy in I vention, applied to the swltch and locking mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in the two. views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character S designates a railway switch comprising the usual main or stock rails R, 1%. and the usual movable switch rails R, R, the two latter rails being connectedby a front rod 1.1 and a head rod 12. .The-operating and locking mechanism for the switch, in the form here shown, comprises a cam disk 2, which diskis rotated in opposite directions throu 'h anarc of a circle by an electric motor M through the medium of .a pinion 4 which meshes with gearteethS on the periphery of the disk. The motor is supplied with current from a suitable source,

I such as a battery 6, and the directionof rotation of this motor is controlled by a polechanger 5.

and virtue of which. the switch iis' shifted from normal to reverseposition and vice versa. (loacting wlth cam slot. 8 'is a.

roller 10 which "is connected with a slide bar N. to cause longitudinal reciprocation, 1

thereof. This slide bar N isprovided*with two plungers 13 and 1 4' which are arranged to project into holes 15 and 16 respectively 111 a lock rod L, whichrod is operatively connected with the front rod 11, of the switch. 1

The operation, of the: apparatus shown "in Fig. 1 is as follows: 7 7 I As shown in this view, the switch S is in one extreme position, whichI willcallv the normal position, and the parts, of the operating and locking mechanism are in the proper positions correspondingto this position of the switch. When it is desired to tion, which I will term the reverse position, the pole-changer 5 is moved to'isuch 7 position that the motor M is energized in the proper direction to rotate the disk 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow. During the first part of this vmovement of the disk, roller 9 is not moved becausethe ,end section 7 of the slot 7 is radial. During this part of the movement of the disk, however, roller 10 is moved to the left so that the slide bar N is likewise moved to the left, whereby the plunger 13 is withdrawn from the hole 15. This movement of the barN, consequently, serves to unlock the switch S. During the middle portion of the movement of the disk 2, roller 9 is shifted by the inclined middle portion 7 of the cam slot 7, and this movement of the roller serves to move the switch S to its reverse position. During this operation of the switch, the

slide bar N remains stationary,'owing to the fact that the middle portion8 of the I path of the plunger13 andthe hole16 moves v V into the path of the plunger 14. During the last part of the movement of the disk 2, roller 9 remains stationary, owing to the radial formation of the end portion 7 of its cam slot, but roller 10 is moved by the inclinedenol portion 8 of its cam slot so that the plunger 14 passes into the hole 16 and so locks the switch in its reverse position.

The movement of the switch D from its reverse to its normal position, is accomplished by energizing motor M in such direction as to rotate the cam disk 2 in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow. This operation of the switch will be understood without further explanation. I

It is to be understood that the mechanism which I have shown in Fig. 1 for causing the desired movements of the switch S and slide bar N is purely diagrammatic, and that these desired movements can be accomplished with any other suitable form of mechanism, such,for example, as the mechanism shown in my parent application, Serial No. 144330, now Patent No. 1293290 of which the present application is a division. The mechanism which is shown in the present application has been chosen because of its relative simplicity.

Attached to the slide bar N, is a rack 71, the function of which will appear hereinafter. Attached to the front rod 11 of the switch S is a. cam bar D, the function of which will likewise appear hereinafter.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the circuit controller, in the form here shown, comprises two sets of contact fingers T and T each set comprising two fingers 75. These fingers are biased downwardly by suitable means, as hereinafter described, so that they normally tend to engage with fixed contacts 19, 7 8, 19 78. These contact fingers are controlled by the slide bar N in such manner that one set of contacts or the other is reversed in opposition to the biasing force according as the slide bar is in its normal or reverse locking position; and that both sets of contact fingers are reversed while the slide bar is between its two locking, positions. As here shown, this operation of the contact fingers is accomplished by two sets of cams 74 and 74, which cams coact with knobs 7 7 and '77 fixed to the contact fingers. The cams 74 and 74 are attached to a shaft carrying a gear wheel 72, which gear wheel is rotated by the rack 71 through the medium of an idler pinion 78.

The operation of the contact fingers T and T by the slide bar N, is as follows:

WVhen the slide bar is in its normal looking position, as shown in Fig. 1, the, two cams 74 are under the co-acting knobs 77*, so that the contact fingers T are held in their reverse positions in opposition to the biasing force. The two cams 74, however, are disengaged from the knobs 77, so that the contact fingers T occupy their normal positions under the influence of the biasing force. When the slide bar N is moved to its intermediate position to unlock the switch, the two cams 74 continue to hold the con.- tact fingers T in reverse position, butthe two cams 7 4 are then moved to such position as to reverse the contact fingers T, whereby both sets of contact fingers then occupy their reverse positions. After the reversal of the switch has been completed and the slide bar N has been shifted to its reverse locking position, the two cams 74 move out of the path of the knobs 77, so that contact fingers T a return to their normal positions under the influence of the biasing force. This movement of the slide bar does not, however, move the cams 74 out of the paths of the knobs 77, and, consequently, the contact fingers T remain in their reverse positions. During the movement of the switch from reverse to normal position it is evident that both sets of contact fingers T and T will be held in their reverse positions while the slide bar N is in the unlocking position, and that upon the completion of the locking of the switch in its normal position contact fingers T will return to their normal positions, as shown in the drawing.

The contact fingers T and T are con trolled by the movable rails of the switch S independently of their control by the slide bar N, and the apparatus by which this is accomplished is as follows:

89 designates a block which is mounted to slide longitudinally, that is, left and right, but is prevented from transverse moven'lent by suitable guides which are not shown. This block carries a roller 10]. which coacts with a cam surface on rod 1) which is con nected with the front rod 11 of the switch S. The cam surface on rod D comprises two recesses 18 and 18, one or the other of which is opposite the roller 101 according as the switch is in normal or reverse position, and a swell 17 which is opposite the roller at all other times. It follows, then, that the block 89 can occupy its retracted position (the position in which it is shown) when the switch is in normal or reverse positlon, but that it is forced to the right (the projected position) when the switch begins to move and is held there as long as the switch occupies any intermediate position. 91 is a lever pivotally mounted on the block 89 at a point 90 which is midway between the ends of the lever. The two ends of this lever are connected with the two sets of contact fingers T and T respectively. The connection between this lever and contacts T comprises a rod 93, a bell crank 94, a link 95 and a tie rod 7 6 of insulatimr material. The connec tion between lever 91 and contacts T is similar, the parts havlng the same reference characters with the exponent a afii xed.

Surrounding rod 93 is a spring 97 which abuts against two collars 98, 98, one of which rests against a shoulder on the rod and the other againsta fixed guideway 96. Rod 93 is provided with a spring 9? which abuts against collars 98 arranged in a similar manner. it will be seen. that spring 97 biases the contact fingers T to their down ward or normal positions, and that spring 97" has a similar effect on contact fingers T.

The proportioning of the parts is such that while the block 89 is in its retracted position, either set of contact-scan be re versed (elevated) while the other set is normal (down). hen the block is moved to its projected position, however, both sets of contacts are necessarily reversed irrespective of the position oi the slide bar N. It follows, then, that ii"? the switch S be moved while the slide bar N is in its normal looking position, contacts T will remain in thereverse position, and contacts T will be moved to and held in their reverse positions. Similarly, if the switch S 'be moved away from its reverse position while the slide bar N is in its reverse locking position, contacts T will remain reversed and contacts T will be reversed.

' During the proper operation of the switch,

slide bar N is, of course, moved to its intermediate position prior to movement of the switch rails. This movement of theslide bar causes contacts T to be reversed, andin so doing, it swings lever 91 in clockwise di rection around point 92 as the center, so that the block 89 is moved to its projected position. The subsequent movement of the bar D curing the movement of the switch has no effect on block 89, but after the movement of the switch is completed and the slide bar N is shifted to its reverse locking position, contacts T are released so that the block 89 returns to its retractedposition It will be seen, therefore, that unless the switch makes a complete movement, both sets of contacts will be held in the reverse position even though a complete movement of the slide bar N to its locking position may be completed owing to the breakage or derangement of some ofthe parts.

" The circuit controller shown in Fig. 2 is employed to govern a suitable. indication mechanism, which mechanism is employed to repeat the positions of the switch at a distant point, usually at the lever which controls the switch. As here shown, this indication mechanism is represented by' a relay P, which is responsive to reversals of current. Current is supplied to this relay from a battery B, and the supply is governed by the contacts T and T of the circuit controller. When the switch is locked in the normal position, so that contacts T are normal and contacts T are reverse, relay P is supplied with current of what I will term the normal polarity, the circuit being from battery B, through wire 80, contact 78, lower inger of the pair T,

wire 81, relay P, wire 82, upper finger? 5 of the pair T, contact 19, and wire 88 to battery 13. When the switch is locked in its reverse position, that is,'when contacts T are normal and contacts T reversed, current of re verse polarity is supplied to relay P, the circuit being from battery B,through wires and 85, contact 19 upper finger75 of'the pair T", wires 86 and 82, relay P, wires 81 and 87, lower finger 75 of the pair TT, contact 78 and wires 88 and 83 to battery B. When both pairs of contacts T and T are in the reverse positions, the battery B is disconnected from relay P and a low resistance which may reach the winding; of this relay will bev diverted tromthe relay by the low resistance shunt.'

It will beseen from the foregoing that'relay P will be energized in normal direction when the switch is lockedin-its normal position, and that this relay will be energized in the reverse direction when the switch is locked in its reverse position. Relay P will be (lo-energized, however, when the switch is unlocked, and it will also be de-energized lIIBSPQCtlVGOf the locking apparatus if the switch is at any point between its two eX- treme positions. 8 Although I have herein shown and describedonly one form of circuit controller ratus for moving and locking said switch, in-' dication mechanism comprising two contact.- fingers each having a normal and a reverse circuit controlling position and biased to normal position, means controlled by. said apparatus for holding both fingersin reverse position while the switch is unlocked and for releasing one finger-or the other according as said switch is locked in one extreme positron 'or the other, and additronalmeans actuated by sa d switch. 07..l318Y6I1t1I1g either finger from assuming its normal position unless the switchoccupiejs an extreme position. 2. In combination, a railway switch, locking' means for said switch, indication means for said switch, contacts' for controlling saidindication means, cams actuated by said lock means for controlling said contacts, a'rod connected with the movable rails of said switch and having a cam face thereon, a block movable at right angles to said rod and having a cam follower co-operating with the cam face on said rod, a lever fulcrumed on said block, spring pressed rods pivoted to the ends of said lever, bell cranks pivotally connected to said spring-pressed rods, and linlrs connecting said bell cranks and said contacts.

3. In combination, a railway switch, a slide bar for locking said switch and having a normal and a reverse locking position corresponding to the normal and reverse positions oi the switch, two sets of contact fingers each biased to a normal position, means operated by said slide bar for holding one set of contacts or the other in reverse position when the bar is in normal or reverse locking position and for holding both sets of contacts in re} verse position when the bar is between said two positions, a block movable to a retracted and a projected position, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to said block and the ends of said lever being connected with said two sets of contacts respectively, the parts being so proportioned that when said block is in retracted position either set of contacts may remain in normal position while the other set is in reverse position but that when the block is in projected position both sets of contacts are reversed irrespective of the positions of the slide bar, means operated by the rails of? said switch for holding said block in projected position at all times except when the switch in normal or reverse position, and indication means controlled by said contacts.

a. In combination, a railway switch, a slide bar for locking said switch and having a normal and a reverse locking position corresponding to the normal and reverse positions of the switch, two sets of contact lingers each biased to a normal position, means operated by said slide bar for holding one set of contacts or the other in, reverse position when the bar is in normal or reverse locking position and for holding both sets of contacts in reverse position when the bar is between said two positions, a block movable to a retracted and a projected position, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to said block and the ends of said lever being connected with said two sets 01' contacts respectively, the parts being so proportioned that when said block is in retracted position, either set of contacts may remain in normal position while the other set is in reverse position but that when the block is in projected position both sets of contacts are reversed irrespective of the position of the slide bar, a cam follower carried by said block, a cam attached to the movable rails of said switch and having two recesses one or the other of which is opposite said follower according as the switch is in normal or reverse position,

whereby said block is held in projected position at all times except when said switch is in normal or reverse position, and indication means controlled by said contacts.

5. in combination, a railway switch, a slide bar for locking said switch and having a normal a reverse locking position corresponding to the normal and reverse positions of the switch, two sets of contact fingers each biased to a normal position, means operated by said slide bar for holding one set of contacts or the'other in reverse position according as the bar is in normal or reverse locking position and for holding both sets of contacts in reverse position when the bar is between said two positions, a block movable to a retracted and a projected position, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to said block and the ends of said lever being connected with said two sets of contacts respectively, the parts being so proportioned that when said block is in retracted position either set of contacts may remain in normal position while the other set is in reverse position but that when the block is in projected position both sets of contacts are reversed irrespective of the position of the slide bar, means operated by the movable rails ofsaid switch for holding said block in. projected position at all times except when the switch is in normal or reverse position, an indication relay responsive to reversals of current, and means controlled by said contacts for supplying current of one polarity to said relay when. one set of contacts is normal and the other set reversed, for supplying current of the other polarity to said relay when the first set of contacts is reversed and the second set normal, and for connecting a low resistance shunt across said relay when both sets of contactsare reversed.

6, In combination. a railway switch, a slide bar having a normal and a reverse locking position corresponding to the normal and reverse positions of the switclntwo sets of contact fingers each biased toanor mal position, means operated by said slide bar for holding one set of contacts or the other in reverse position when the bar is in normal or reverse position and for holding both sets of contacts in reverse position when the bar is between said two locking positions,

'a lock rod connected with said switch and co-operating with said slide bar to prevent movement of said bar to either extreme position unless the switch is in the corresponding extreme position, additional means operatively connected with the movable rails of said switch for holding both sets of contacts in reverse positions at all times except when the. switch is..in normal or reverse position, an indication relay responsive to reversals of current, and means operated by said contacts for supplying current of one polarity to said relay whenone set of contacts is normal and the other set reverse, for supplying current of the other polarity to said relay when the first set of contacts is reversed and the second set normal, and for connect-' ing a low resistance shunt across said relay,

when both sets of contacts are reversed.

7. In combination, a railway switch, apparatus for moving and locking said switch, an indication device responsive to reversals of current, means controlled by said apparatus for supplying current of one polarity or the other to said indicationdevice according as the switch is locked in normal or a reverse position and for discontinuing the vice .unless the switch occupies an extreme position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

v p WILLIAM ZABEL. \Vitnesses I A. HERMAN YWEGNER, I .E. P. CRUM. 

